Ulster Rugby v Cheetahs

7 / 68

5 www.ULSTERRUGBY.com
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
IRFU
ULSTER BRANCH
2017/18
OFFICERS
Graf n Parke
President
Stephen Elliott
Senior Vice President
Gary Leslie
Junior Vice President
Denis Gardiner
Honorary Secretary
Michael Boyd
Honorary Treasurer
Greg Irwin
Competitions Secretary
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Shane Logan
Chief Executive
Chris Webster
Domestic Rugby Manager
Audrey Robinson
Financial Controller
Fiona Hampton
Head of Sales & Marketing
Les Kiss
Director of Rugby
Bryn Cunningham
Operations Director
Kingspan Stadium,
134 Mount Merrion Avenue
Belfast, BT6 0FT
T
We bid a special welcome “Vriende welkom in Belfast” to all the
Cheetahs players, officials and supporters visiting us for the first time
and hope they have an enjoyable experience in Ulster.
I would like to offer my congratulations to Gerald Davis, Chairman, and
Martin Anayi CEO of the Championship and all the participating club
CEOs and officials who had the foresight to agree the new format, which
takes us into this new level of competition. In the long term this can
only be good for our future by strengthening our position financially and
extending the level of competition.
Since our last game here at Kingspan Stadium, we have been fortunate
to secure the services of Australian fly-half, Christian Lealiifano. Christian
has joined Ulster Rugby on a five-month deal after which he will return to
the Brumbies for the start of the Super Rugby season.
Christian, we welcome you to Ulster and hope you enjoy an injury free
time here in Belfast.
Congratulations to Rory Best, who was announced as our new captain
earlier this week. I’m sure he’ll do a tremendous job, ably supported by a
number of other senior players.
Hosting the Woman’s Rugby World Cup in Dublin and Belfast proved
a magnificent success for the IRFU and our congratulations go to all
who have assisted with events both here at Kingspan Stadium and at
Queen's University. We are both willing and confident in our ability to put
on an equally fantastic tournament if selected to host the 2023 Rugby
World Cup.
During August and September each season, the IRFU Ulster Branch
delivered a series of Schools and Age Grade Interprovincial games. We
recognise the contribution of Michael Black and his team for making all
the arrangements, as well as all the team managers, coaches, selectors,
parents and friends who work tirelessly to support these games.
Notable results to date include a 34 – 30 win for the U20/Academy away
to Leinster and a hard-fought draw 12 – 12 for the Schools U17 side
away to Munster. As always your support at any of these games is most
appreciated. Good luck to all the Ulster teams!
The 52 rugby clubs in Ulster are now embarking on a new season and
on behalf of the IFRU Ulster Branch, we wish them well for what we
hope will be a memorable and enjoyable 2017/18. SUFTUM!
Graffin Parke
President IRFU (Ulster Branch)
As President of the IRFU Ulster Branch, it gives
me great pleasure to welcome you all to Kingspan
Stadium tonight for the first game in the new
expanded Guinness PRO14 Championship.
PRESIDENT’S WELCOME